Convertible bed



J. J BARABAS CONVERTIBLE BED Jan. 17, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 31, 1957 ATTO R NEY5 m WM Wm M 5 d M d Cut HM u's .6

United States Patent CONVERTIBLE BEE) John J. Barabas, New Rochelle, N.Y.., assignor to Castro Convertible Corporation, New Hyde Park, Nib, a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 693,636

3 Claims. (Cl. 5-55) This invention relates to a convertible bed and is a modification of that shown in co-pending application Serial No. 693,637, filed October 31, 1957.

An object of this invention is to provide in a sofa-bed an improved lock for the bed mechanism, the lock having superior operating efliciency and convenience.

Another object is to make possible a bed mechanism which is less complicated and less expensive but which at the same time is sturdier, more rugged and more reliable than previous sofa-bed mechanisms.

Still another object is to provide a bed mechanism of this kind which easily and automatically locks itself rigid in either open or closed position.

A further object is to provide a convertible bed mechanism which does not require critical tolerances in manufacture and which can be mass produced at relatively low cost with uniformly excellent quality.

These and other objects will in part be pointed out in and in part understood from the following description.

One popular type of sofa-bed at the present time is known in the trade as a longboy. In a longboy type sofa-bed, when unfolded into the bed position the occupant sleeps' with his head near one arm of the sofa and his feet near the other arm. Such a unit usually has three sections supported on swinging links from a stationary frame and adapted to be extended in a straight line out from the frame to support a mattress and make a bed, the longest dimension of which is parallel to the frame. Alternatively these sections can be folded in sofa position within the frame, the end section being doubled back over the inner section, to form a supporting platform for sofa seat cushions.

It is essential that the opening and closing action of any such bed mechanism should be smooth and effortless and that in either open or closed position the pivoted sections of the mechanism should be rigidly held in place.

Failure to provide such rigidity results in a product which is neither a comfortable bed nor a comfortable sofa. Designers of previous sofa beds have attempted to solve this problem by providing various arrangements to interengage the bed sections and hold them rigid. Some of these arrangements were manually actuated locks and though relatively simple, were often inconvenient to use and often quite unmanageable. Other locks, though more nearly automatic, were very complicated and had to be made to close tolerances so that they were readily vulnerable to abuse or even normal wear. The present invention in one of its aspects provides a greatly improved locking arrangement in answer to this problem.

A most important factor in promoting the acceptance by the public of sofa-beds is the feasability of styling them to look exactly like ordinary sofas. This question of styling is now being accentuated of course by the modern trend toward slimmer and more streamlined furniture. Many previous convertible bed mechanisms, because of their complexity and unwieldliness, imposed a boxlike appearance on the enclosing furniture frame. In the past, some people who would otherwise buy a sofa-bed to have ture.

in their homes as an occasional or extra bed, simply refused to buy one because its look was ungainly and it clearly revealed its double purpose or because its style was of necessity out of keeping with their other furni- The present invention makes possible a multisection bed mechanism which is greatly simplified and very streamlined in comparison with previous mechanisms and which therefore lends itself to the most modern oif-the-fioor sofa styles. Even though this mechanism has fewer parts than prior mechanisms, it is sturdy and sag-free in either open or closed position.

There is described herein a basic convertible bed mechanism having three sections serially pivoted to each other and interconnected by a unique operating linkage. These sections are supported in a stationary furniture frame in such fashion that they can be unfolded and extended out from the frame to support a mattress horizontally a convenient distance above the floor. Alternatively, the sections are adapted to fold within the frame with the outer or end section positioned generally horizontally above the inner section with the connecting section lying approximately vertical at the front edge of the sofa. The two right angle corners formed by the three sections when folded are rigidly locked against movement in any direction by the unique interconnecting linkage described and claimed in the above identified co-pending application. When the sections are unfolded the rear end of the inner section is locked in up position by a pin and slot arrangement provided according to this invention. This arrangement operates completely automatically and also serves when the sections are folded to prevent the inner and connecting sections from folding closer than perpendicular to each other. 7

A better understanding of the invention together with a fuller appreciation of its many advantages will be gained from the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view, partly in cross-section of a sofa bed embodying features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one side of the operating mechanism and frame of the bed seen in Figure 1 and shown here completely unfolded into its bed position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the mechanism just after the folding into its sofa position has begun;

Figure 4 is a view of the bed mechanism more nearly folded or closed than in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view of the mechanism shown nearly completely folded;

Figure 6 is a side view of the mechanism completely folded; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of one of the corner portions shown in Figure 6.

The sofa bed 10 seen in Figure 1, shown folded but with its unfolded position indicated .by the broken lines, comprises a stationary frame 12 in which is suspended a mattress supporting mechanism generally indicated at 14. Removably positioned on top of this mechanism are the seat cushions 16 whose rear edge abuts aback cushion 18 permanently affixed to the frame. Lying in front of this cushion are the removable pillows 19. Doubled back upon itself within the folded mechanism 14 is a mattress as (shown dotted) which, when the bed is opened as indicated by the broken lines, is supported a convenient distance above the floor by the unfolded bed mechanism.

The width and length of the mattress and its supporting mechanism are proportioned so that one or two As seen in Figure 2, wherein the bed is shown unfolded with parts broken away and with the mattress and the frame upholstery omitted, the bed mechanism 14 includes three sections serially pivoted together. The innermost of these sections, inner section 24, is suspended for outward and upward movement to the position shown by a rear swing link 26 pivoted at 28 to section 24 and pivoted at 30 to a bracket 32 fastened to stationary frame 12. The forward end of section 24 is suspended from frame 12 by a front swing link 34 pivoted at 36 to a tab 38 attached to section 24, the lower end of link 34 being pivoted at 40 to a strap 41 fastened to frame 12.

Serially pivoted to the front end of inner section 24 at 42 is the second or connecting section 44, to which in turn is pivoted at 46 the third or end section 48. The three sections 24, 44 and 48, as seen in Figure 2, when unfolded extend horizontally in line outward from frame 12 and are adapted to support the mattress (not shown here) on the taut bed spring 50 which is attached within these sections along their edges.

End section 43 is supported horizontally above the floor by the two legs 52 and 54 pivoted to it at points 56 and 58 respectively. Connecting section 44 is supported solely by its attachment to the sections on either end of it, and inner section 24 is supported by links 26 and 34. To prevent the rear end of section 24 from sagging under a load, link 26 in the position of Figure 2 is locked against clockwise rotation about its pivot 30 by the rearward thrust of the long link 59 which is pivoted to link 26 at point 60 just above its pivot 28. Weight resting on the rear of section 24 is transmitted through pivot 28 to link 26 and tends to rotate it clockwise about pivot 30. This is resisted however by the thrust of link 59 against pivot 60 which develops an equal and opposite moment of force on link 26 about pivot 28. Downward force on the forward end of section 24 similarly tends slightly to rotate link 34 clockwise about its pivot 40 but since link 26 cannot rotate clockwise beyond the position shown, neither can link 34.

The forward end of link 59 is pivoted at 62 to the upper portion of the crank-arm 64, which in Figure 2 extends vertically downward below the point 65 at which it is pivoted to section 24. Forward thrust of link 59 against pivot 62 tends to rotate arm 64 clockwise around pivot 65 but this in turn is resisted, in accordance with the invention, by a pin 66 which has moved forward in the slot 67 in section 24 to the rear of or behind arm 64 and now locks the arm in the position shown. Pin 66 is carried on the end of a link, obscured in this figure, whose action will be described shortly.

Attached to the lower end of arm 64 is a linkage 68 pivoted to the arm at 70 and which comprises two short lengths 72 and 74 pivoted together at 76. The forward end of linkage 68 is pivoted at point 73 onto the rigid plate or corner member 80. The latter at its upper end is pivoted at 82 to end section 48.

Any pull by linkage 68 on corner 80, which pull tends to rotate it clockwise about pivot 82, is resisted by a counter thrust on the pin 84 carried by corner 80 above pivot 82. Pin 84 rides in a slot 88 in the rear end of the link 90 and in the position of Figure 2 abuts the front end of the slot thus preventing clockwise rotation of corner 80.

As seen perhaps even more clearly in Figure 3, the forward end of link 90 is pivoted, in common with the link 92, at point 94 to the long link 96. The rear end of the latter is pivoted at 97 to connecting section 44 and the forward end of this link 96 is pivoted at 98 to leg 52. At the beginning of folding of the bed as seen in Figure 3, end section 48 is manually lifted from the floor and pivots around its point of attachment 46 to connecting section 44. This causes link 96 to shift forward relative to end section 48 and in so doing to fold the legs 52 and 54, the latter being controlled through link 92 which is pivoted to it at 93. Leg 52 stops against link 92 when fully folded as in Figure 4.

Folding of the bed continues beyond the position of Figure 3 to that of Figure 4 wherein end section 48 is disposed approximately at right angles to connecting section 44 and wherein section 44 is being brought up toward right-angle relation with inner section 24. This last section may be now shifted slightly back into the frame so that the crank-arm 64 has begun to rotate clockwise about point 66. Just prior to this, locking pin 66 has moved partway back along slot 67 out of engagement with crank-arm 64. Pin 66 is carried on the rear end of the link 100 whose front end is pivoted at 101 to connecting section 44. When the connecting section first begins to fold relative to inner section 24, link 100 pushes pin 66 back along slot 67 thereby unlocking crank-arm 64 and permitting it to rotate. When this arm rotates, it pulls on linkage 68 and with great force draws the upper flange 102 of solid corner 80 gradually into extended contact with end section 48 and also, see Figure 5, draws the front or lower flange 104 of corner 80 into contact with connecting section 44. This forces the connecting section to be generally perpendicular to both the end and the inner sections. The mattress (not shown here) is compressed and folded double upon itself and the end and connecting sections are held with complete rigidity in folded position relative to the inner section. Because of the powerful drawing together of these sections from the position of Figure 4 to that of Figure 5 produced by the action of corner 80, in turn caused by the clockwise rotation of arm 64 upon movement of section 24 back and down within frame 12, a person closing the bed is saved the strenuous effort of pushing the end section into fully folded relation above the inner section against the resistance of the doubled over mattress.

To complete the folding of the bed, the now folded sections 24, 44 and 48 shown in Figure 5 are lowered as a rigid unit from this position to that of Figure 6 wherein they are fully seated within frame 12. Their weight is largely counterbalanced by the springs 105 fixed to strap 41 at 106 and connected at 107 to front swing link 34 to be stretched when this link swings counterclockwise i.e. from the position of Figure 5 to that of Figure 6, about its pivot 40. Even though during this final folding the short arm 64 continues to rotate from the position of Figure 5 clockwise into side-byside relation with section 24 as shown in Figure 6, the inward and downward pulling movement of linkage 68 against corner 80 ends when the mechanism in folding from the position of Figure 4 reaches the position of Figure 5. Here, arm 64 is parallel with linkage 68, the lower portion 72 of the linkage lying side-by-side along arm 64 with pivot 76 lying generally opposite and on the same axis with pivot 65. As arm 64 continues to rotate clockwise from the position of Figure 5 to that of Figure 6, the raised flap 108 (see also Figure 4) integral with it bears against the top side of the lower portion 72 in unison with arm 64 around its pivot 66 and the linkage pivot 76, which two pivots in all positions between Figures 5 and 6 have a common axis. As a consequence. the tension force developed in the upper portion 74 of linkage 68 can be brought to a maximum in the position of Figure 5 and thereafter be maintained without further increase even though the lower pivot point 70 of the linkage moves past the line of centers of points 76 and 78. Thus the very desirable self-locking action of a toggle is obtained but without encountering an excessive and possibly destructive build-up and then wasteful decrease in the link tension as the pivots move past center.

To insure that connecting section 44 will come to right-angle relation with inner section 24 and then stop and stay rigid under the tension of linkage 68, the length of slot 67, seen enlarged in Figure 7, is made such accepts 5. that its rear end bears against pin 66 and thereby stops rearward movement of link 100 when sections 24 and 44 reach right-angle relation. When crank arm 64 is folded back all the way, its end lies in front of pin 66 thereby double locking the inner section to the connecting section.

When the bed is in the position of Figure 6, the rear end of section 24 is suspended by rear swing link 26 which is now downwardly extending and slightly back past vertical. The weight of the front end of the bed is borne by corner 80 which in turn is rigidly bolted to the frontboard 110, see also Figure 1, the lower edge of the latter resting upon the transverse rail or cross brace 112 fixed to the lower front edge of frame 12. Since no play or sagging of the bed sections relative to each other is allowed by corner 39 and linkage 63, these sections are held almost as rigid relative to each other and frame 12 as though they were welded in this position. They therefore provide a steady, comfortable and sagless support for the sofa cushions. While not necessary, an auxiliary support beneath the inner end of folded end section 48 can be provided in the form of the strut 114 fixed at each of its ends to a rear swing link '26 on each side of the mechanism. This strut is positioned so that when the bed is folded the tapered end 116 of the end section rests upon it.

As seen in Figure 6, the top surface of the inner or rearmost end of folded end section 48 is spaced at 118 by only a very short distance beneath the lower edge of the stationary back cushion 18. The leaving of such a small clearance here is possible because the end section even before the bed is finally closed has already been drawn down fully parallel to the inner section. Accordingly, this top end moves substantially only horizontally backward during the final seating of the mechanism within frame 12. Also, since the end section 48 is so rigidly held relative to inner section 24, practically no allowance here for up and down play of the end section is necessary, even without transverse strut 114.

The left side of the bed mechanism (shown herein) is rigidly joined or tied to the right side (not shown, but a mirror image of the left) by several transversely extending members. Afirst of these, seen in Figure 2, is riveted to the forward-most end of end section 48 and comprises the hollow round tube 120 whose own end is flattened at its point of attachment to section 43. In addition, riveted to the lower end of short arm 64 is a second transverse tube 1227similar to tube 120. A third transverse member, riveted near the center of connecting section 44, is the flanged channel 124 which while providing torsional rigidity also supports bed spring 50 along the longitudinal centerline of the mattress When the bed is open. This isolates to a certain extent the two halves of the bed and provides greater sleeping comfort for two people.

A fourth transverse member is provided at the rear or inner side of the bed and comprises the rail 126 which is riveted to the rear end of inner section 24. Channel 124 lies equidistant from this rail 126 and the front transverse member, tube 120. These members, and tube 122, provide great transverse rigidity and insure that both sides of the bed move in unison in opening or closing.

As seen in Figure 2 and in Figure 4, there is resiliently fastened to the top end of corner 8t) at 130 and stretched to extend just behind along the top edge of frontboard 110, a flexible sheet 132 of a suitable padded material. When the bed is folded this sheet serves to cover springs 50 and to protect and support the seat cushions. The forward end of sheet 132 extends around transverse tube 120 and is fastened to the springs. The way this sheet is attached to the bed mechanism and the position it has when the bed is folded are completely described in US. Patent No. 2,752,613.

It will now be apparent that the bed mechanism described herein is simplified in design and streamlined in I appearance relative to previous bed'mech'anisms. Fewer parts are needed in this mechanism and this means an appreciable savings in cost and a reduction in weight. Even so, the mechanism is exceptional in ease of operation and in freedom from sag, especially when in sofa position. The mechanism folds compactly within the stationary frame and makes utmost use of the space available. Thus, off the floor sofa styles, such as that illustrated, are permitted but yet the seat cushion platform (i.e. end section 48) when the bed is folded will lie at the proper height for best seating comfort. The width of the seat cushions can easily be made small enough for comfort without excessive space behind the back cushion, and the pitch of the seat platform can be slightly downward and back, as in a conventional sofa. No large and wasteful internal spaces are clearance gaps between frame and mechanism are required to permit folding and unfolding of the bed.

Figures 2 through 6 of the drawings were made from photographs of an actual bed mechanism and they show substantially exactly the relative sizes, shapes and positions of the various parts and elements.

The invention described herein is not limited to use solely with a three-section sofa-bed. in some instances it may be desirable to lengthen the lower end of crank arm 64 so that it serves also as a support leg. The description of the invention given herein is intended in illustration and not in limitation of it. Various changes or modifications in the structure described may occur to those skilled in the art and these can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth.

I claim:

1. In a three section sofa-bed wherein the rear end of the inner section must be locked up when the bed is unfolded, an inner section, a connecting section, and end section, said sections being adapted to fold into U shape within a furniture frame and to unfold in a straight line to make a bed, a rear swing link pivoted to the rear end of said inner section, a front swing link connected to support the front end of said inner section, an arm-like member pivoted to said inner section near its forward end, a long push link pivoted to said rear swing link and to said arm-like member to rotate it backward and upward when saidsections are folded and outward and downward when they are unfolded, a pin riding in a slot in I said inner section adjacent said arm-like member and arm-like member when said sections are folded to draw them into rigid right-angle relation.

2. In an improved sofa bed mechanism: at least three bed sections comprising an inner section, a connecting section, an end section, said sections being pivoted serially together and adapted when folded to lie with the inner section generally horizontal, the end section folded back generally parallel above it, and with the connecting section generally vertical and perpendicular to said inner and end sections, and when unfolded being adapted to lie generally horizontally in a straight line, a rear member connected to said inner section and through which it is suspended from a stationary frame, a rotatable member pivoted at a first point to said inner section near its forward end, a long push link for swinging said rotatable member downward and forward to generally perpendicular relation with said inner section when said sections said inner section when said sections are folded, said long push link being pivoted at its rear end to said rear member and at its forward end to said rotatable member, and means for preventing backward rotation of said rotatable member when said sections are unfolded, said means including a locking link connected at a fixed pivot at its forward end directly to said connecting section, and having a rear end, said rear end carrying a pin which slides along and parallel to said inner section to engage said rotatable member to prevent rotation thereof when said sections are unfolded, whereby the rear end of said inner section is locked up.

3. The structure as in claim 2 wherein when said sections are folded, a portion of said rotatable member lies in front of said pin and said pin abuts a fixed portion of said inner section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

